Synthesis, structures and urease inhibition studies of Schiff base metal complexes derived from 3,5-dibromosalicylaldehyde.

Eleven mononuclear copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of Schiff base ligands derived from 3,5-dibromosalicylaldehyde/3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde were synthesized and determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. The crystal structures of complexes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 11 present the square-planar coordination geometry at the metal center and complexes 7, 9 and 10 show the distorted tetrahedral geometry. While one copper center in 3 has a square-planar geometry, the other copper is slightly distorted square-planar. The inhibitory activities of all the obtained complexes were tested in vitro against jack bean urease. It was found that Schiff base copper(II) complexes 1, 3, 5, 8 and 11 showed strong urease inhibitory activities (IC(50) = 1.51-3.52 μM) compared with acetohydroxamic acid (IC(50) = 62.52 μM), which was a positive reference. Their structure-activity relationships were further discussed.